In recent years, with the increasing popularity of the “do it yourself” philosophy, the amount of people wanting to learn to sew is undoubtedly on the rise.

Whether you are attracted to haute couture, beginner’s sewing or simply curious to learn how to make your own clothes, as a nation we are becoming more and more interested in sewing as an outlet for our creativity.

You just need to watch popular TV programmes like Escape to the Chateau DIY to see how many people are creating things for themselves using recycled materials. Angel, who loves all things vintage, and her many acquaintances on the show can be seen making curtains, wall hangings, reupholstering furniture and completing many more sewing projects in an attempt to save money and re-use materials that have historic meaning to them and their new (or old!) homes.

Learning how to sew also allows you to make and design your own soft furnishings and garments and, in turn, spend less money on clothing and indeed interiors, which isn’t always respectful of human rights and the environment.

The handmade element makes a lot of people want to take sewing classes: the feeling of personal achievement, the pride of having been able to make a dress, a pleated skirt, a trouser hem or a nice bag all by yourself.

But remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and sewing a dress, trousers or a skirt does not happen by magic: you have to buy all the sewing essentials – which can be expensive – and then learn the technique.

Familiarise yourself with your sewing machine

To learn how to use your new Singer, Husqvarna or Brother machine our humble advice will not please everyone: practice, practice, practice.

Sew straight and parallel lines on poor quality fabric which you don’t intend to use.

It can be an excellent exercise to test your straight stitch or zigzag stitch for example, and practice varying the tension of the thread.

You will first of all learn how to thread the spool and insert the bobbin. Make sure that the spool of thread is of the same quality as the thread already in the bobbin, in order to obtain regular seams.

And, depending on the type of fabric you use to sew, you will have to learn how to choose and change sewing needles regularly. It’s simple, but it’s not invented.

Last tip for using a sewing machine: never panic and persevere.

Faced with a jam, a bad stitch, an irregular seam or completely ruined seam, do not be afraid to stop and do it again.

Our final piece of sewing advice: to improve your level, there’s nothing better than individual lessons with an experienced teacher!

Where To Find Sewing Classes in the UK

The fact is that you can find sewing courses just about everywhere. Unlike, say, a Maths topic, for which training is usually held in an educational establishment and follows a more or less academic structure in terms of timetabling, sewing lessons are often run as workshops in the form of continuous study over the space of a week, for example, or as a one-off experience (perhaps a singular day/morning/afternoon session). The courses could be offered in blocks of two or more if the subject requires it or if a higher level of skill is desired. Not to mention, of course, the huge choice of online training that’s available.

So, what is it about this craft that has taken your fancy?

Are you keen to develop a skill that you can make money from (for example, making toys, soft furnishings or unique garments to sell on eBay or Etsy) or are you simply looking to become more handy around the house (for instance, being able to sew buttons back on your shirts or taking up trouser legs that are too long)? Some women (though this is a very dated and stereotypical view see it as a being a real housewife’s duty to know how to sew!).

A sewing instructor can be very useful in helping newbies and experienced craftsmen and women alike to build on their skills. Research acquired by the Craft Hobby Association indicates that more than 4 million people do sewing in connection to their home and that the same number of hobbyists dabble in dressmaking.

With so many different uses for the craft, you need to ask yourself what it is you want to learn to sew for, how you’d like to learn the skill and what budget you have to spend on developing your skill – and all of this comes before you start shopping around for courses (or else you may find yourself enrolled on several different sessions covering completely different areas!).

Below we will explore just some of the different types of courses and where you could enrol on them.

One-off arts and crafts experiences

Stitched Up

Stitched Up, with its HQ in Chorlton, offers a range of workshops, parties, and educational events to suit a variety of ages. You can attend a class to help you repair old clothes, find a course that helps you to transform lifeless garments into something new and exciting or you can simply be enlightened as to how to use your sewing machine confidently.

A campaigner for upcycling, Stitched Up also holds a Swaps and Sales event which encourages an eco-friendly way of refreshing your wardrobe.

Sewing Workshops

Sew It With Love

This company offers a range of sewing classes in London, adapted for all different levels: Beginners, Advanced Beginners, and Intermediate Dressmaking. As a beginner, you might find introductory courses like how to sew a tote bag, how to sew a pyjama set, how to use a sewing machine, and other general taster sessions introducing you to the art of sewing.

Advanced beginners, however, may discover how to make alterations, how to sew with jersey fabrics, how to sew lingerie and an introduction to dressmaking.

Meanwhile, intermediate dressmaking students will explore pattern cutting, how to sew cigarette pants, how to sew the perfect fit and how to copy your existing clothes and fashions.

All of the classes, which have excellent reviews from previous students as can be seen on the website, are very affordably priced with most coming in at less than £100.

Textiles qualifications

Dressmaking – Leeds City College

This eight-week, part-time, beginner sewing workshop priced at just £60 is designed to help you to advance in the area of dressmaking. During the sewing lessons, you will learn to pin fabric using a simple pattern; thread a machine and wind a bobbin; sew a straight seam; take measurements correctly; insert a regular zip.

In the first couple of sessions alone you will already work towards making a cushion cover and a tote bag; this will enable you to learn some of the beginners sewing skills.

Online self-training methods

Possibly one of the easiest ways to learn to sew is to use the Internet. We use the term ‘easiest’ loosely because we are aware that a skill that requires this much attention to detail can be hard to master by simply reading written instructions, looking at 2d images or watching pre-recorded videos with no opportunity to stop and ask the demonstrator questions.

However, it is possible to find some really great tutorials on places like YouTube and Instagram. Basically, the Internet is a huge, free to access resource that covers almost any subject you can think of! Just think of it as your free, digital sewing school!

What you could also do is buy an item that you are interested in making yourself and pick it apart (literally) to see how it has been made so that you can attempt to copy the method yourself.

Get tutored in sewing with Superprof!

At Superprof, you can find a variety of individuals with experience in textiles who are just raring to pass on their knowledge, tips, and tricks concerning the craft. In London alone, Superprof counts more than half a dozen tutors starting from just £10 an hour.

Be sure to check what sewing projects your guide has planned for you and what sewing equipment you will need for your lessons (i.e. a fat quarter, scissors, thread, wool, rulers, etc) as you don’t want to waste any valuable one-to-one time.

On the Superprof website, you can filter the results according to your level or your personal interests; for instance, you might like to consider those who are qualified in the fashion industry if you are keen to learn about dressmaking and tailoring. It is important to note that with expertise comes the ability to charge more for their time, so don’t be scared off by tutors charging a higher hourly rate. It just means they’re really good at what they do!

Challenge Yourself and Your Sewing Abilities

Now that you’re a dab-hand with a sewing machine, do you fancy an even bigger challenge? One that entails showcasing your sewing abilities in front of a few people… ok to be seen by the whole nation?!

The Great British Sewing Bee is an English reality show starring amateur sewers who take on challenges as they compete to be named Britain’s best home sewer. And who wouldn’t want such a title?

Sewing was hugely popular among women during the early 1900s, and many women today still see this as an invaluable skill and therefore take pride in their ability to sew. However, sewing is no longer reserved just for women.

Despite being seen as an old-fashioned tool or trade by young millennials, crafting has soared in popularity again over the last decade. Personal shops like eBay and Etsy are no doubt huge contributing factors in this increase in uptakers, because there now seems to be a big call for homemade, personalised items. A quick search on Etsy shows very competitive pricing for handmade items which, in turn, proves that this skill is continuing to be used by young craftspeople with the added know-how of using technology to make money from their creations.

Joe Lycett, the newest host of the Great British Sewing Bee, which (when the series is being broadcast) is aired on Thursdays on BBC2, said: “My mum loves this show and she’s bursting at the seams she’s sew excited! Weave talked about it and she says I’m tailor made and I’ll have the contestants in stitches.”

According to the BBC website, the show’s creators are looking for a new collection of talented home sewers to showcase their talents on the sixth series of The Great British Sewing Bee. Therefore, if you are (or someone you know is) a brilliant amateur sewer, then they want to hear from you!

We hope that the above guide to learning how to sew has been helpful to you. Discover also what you can do with all of your leftover fabric… such as a bag, an iPad holder, a cushion cover, a hair bow and sew on and sew forth…

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Jon

As an Englishman in Paris, I enjoy growing my knowledge of other languages and cultures. I'm interested in History, Economics, and Sociology and believe in the importance of continuous learning.